Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-04-14
A sAwDUsT.SwINDLER FOILED
His Victim becomes Suspicious and
Causes IIfS Arrest.


4 Fall River (Mass.) special says :
Among the passengers who arrived in
this city from New York on the steam
or Pilgrim this morning were two men,
each about thirty-fye years of age.
One Of them was of medium height
and wore dark brown clothes, while his
companion Was of more digniiied APP
pearance. tall in statue, and apparent
" a respectable businessman. The
latter, while consulting the wishes Of
the former, never separated from him
and watched his every movement.
When they left the boat and walked
toward the train the smaller of the two
approached Officers Devine and Riley
and told them that the man with him
was a swindler and fraud whom he
could not get rid of. The officers ac-
ccmpaniCd the men to the police sta
ton, where the victim of the alleged
svindle described himself rs Hiram
Evans, of Kee2er Falls, York county,
Me. Four months ago he received a
confidential letter from New York Of
fering to make him a rich man by the
simple operation of disposing of coun-
telieit money, or green goods. The
oflerwas repeated, and Evans concluded
to see what was in the glittering pro-
misses. lie went to New York and ma lie
an investigation that apparently
satisfied him Of the sincerity of the
schemers. While disposed to make 4
purchase, he was without the necessary
9oney, and returned TO his home in
Maine. he continued TO receive letters,
and was finally induced TO visit the Ne
tropolis n second time. Before embark
ing on his GRAND he stopped in this
city and deposited $500 in the Meta
comet Bank, as he feared that he might
be waylaid and robbed when he reached
New York. On Saturday night be pro
cecded TO that city, and on arriving Sun
day called ct 39l east Tenth street, a
private residence occupied by man
giving his name as Thomas Lam
ming. An appointment was made
for Monday, and Evans called at
place that looked like railroad ticket
Office. The documents which the
Maine man produced established his
identity with the correspondent to
whom they were addressed, and the
business was OF once stated. There
were six or seven men in the Office,
among them being fellow who was
called by turns Roberts and Simpson.
After the bargain had been made small
valise was secured and roll of bills de-
posted therein but this valise was
subsequently substituted for another.
Evans observed the manipulations
by the swindlers and became sus-
picious. Roberts accompanied the will
ing victim to the Park Bank to have
check cashed, but as nobody could
identify him the money was not handed
over. This an unexpected setback,
and il was decided that Roberts should
accompany Evans to this city and OBJ
tain the money from the Metacomet
Bank. They departed on the Pilgrim
Monday afternoon. The swindler kept
a close watch on the dupe, but the lat
ter managed to elude his vigilance
during the night, and sought the bag
gsge-master. He told the latter that he
wanted TO get his yalise, but the boat
official explained that it was against the
rules to remove baggage during the
voyage. The urgency of the case was
represented, and the yalise was handed
over. When opened it was found TO
contain two newspapers and a quantity
of coal. This discovery led Evans TO
decide not TO pay the money. Roberts
was perfectly cool when questioned by
the marshal, and maintained that he
was ignorant of all wrongdoing. AS no
money had passed between the two he
was let 90. Evans afterward obtained
the money he had on deposit in the
Metacomet Bank and departed for Bos-
ton.